LAPORTE, Ind. (AP): The Indiana University Health hospital in LaPorte has cleaned out its water system as a precaution after two patients were found to have Legionella infections.
The hospital's pipes were flushed with chlorinated water. The cleaning was scheduled to end Thursday night.
Hospital spokeswoman Stacey Kellogg says the source of the bacteria is not known, but at least one patient was already infected when they arrived at the hospital. She says the water would be safe right after the treatment, and that people at the hospital shouldn't worry.
The bacteria can cause pneumonia- or flu-like illnesses, including Legionnaires' disease. People can breathe in the bacteria in mist or vapor, which is found naturally in the environment. But it isn't transmitted from person to person.
The two infected patients have been treated and released.
